I wish I wasn't working. This was a neat event last year.

Dale whet the heck! Where you been? I don't think I will make it this year but you never know.

Does anyone happen to know if this will be happening again this year? I sure hope it is.

Yep it`s a go again this year. I am planning on it.

Yes Sam, It's on for June 20th this year. Hope you and your family can make it...

OH BOY, I better start saving up a bunch more...

Good deal Dale, marked on the calender. Hope it works out this year to get there.

Thank you for the information. The family and I will be there. Looks like I'll even have a little money to get rid of, so I hope some of you can help with that.

Hey Sam what kind of things are you looking for.

Whatever excites me when I see it. There is little rhyme or reason to my collection. I just like old traps.
I do tend to get exited by wolf and beaver sized longsprings and also by most any toothed trap, especially Newhouses. Always looking for #44 Blake and Lambs too.
My boys will be looking for rodent traps. They really like mouse and gopher related stuff. George had a small flame for them, then Mr Skratmandoo poured gas on the fire, lol.
My wife, if she attends, will be looking for something that she thinks will look neat on the wall.

Bring a few tailgate items and I'll reserve you a piece of prime real estate.
Your missus and her crafts are welcome too.

Sounds like a good deal Dale. She might up for that. Sam I have a little bit of everything, if I show up I will throw it all in the trailer.

I hope you show up, backroadsarcher, and I hope your wife brings her stuff along, my bride would enjoy seeing it.

Less than a month away. I'm starting to get a little excited.

Here ya go Sam,
A few things that a show goer dropped off for a little TLC before the event. Not sure any will be for sale but will at the least be there for looking at...

Thank you Dale. A couple of beauties there.
I'm excited to look at everything at Ed's. I'm already lined up to buy a few things from folks that are going to be there. Hopefully I'll still have some money so I can bring home a few more treasures.

Uh oh, there's some Kryptonite on that table....

Oh Dale you just had to do that. Might have to increase my spending budget if you bring any of that.

Backroadsarcher, have you figured out if you wife will be attending with her crafts? My wife was curious.

I am thinking she might not but even so I will pack a little bit of it and bring some. There is some trapping related things we have made.

Any pics from the meet? How many tables / attendees do you guys usually have up there?

I will try to remember to pack my camera! Will get home Sunday and if I have time will post pictures!

I will have my phone I will take a few. Maybe get Pete to put on a big smile.

I thought it was this past weekend but I see now that was the 2025 flyer. I'm thinking about timing a trip out that way to coincide with next year's meet. Unfortunately not much collector action down here in Tennessee - only half a dozen of us in the NATCA directory. Hope you guys have a good one.

I'll be sure to take some pictures as well.

I'm really looking forward to meeting a few new folks and looking at a few traps. Hopefully my kids mind their manners and none of you have to witness a butt whooping.

Sam, I think if your boys behave they might each get a vintage NAFA hat, or a mouse trap, or weasel trap, or combination thereof...
If it comes down to a butt whoopin, I'll give directions to Ed's woodshed.....


Let your missus know there are many of the fairer sex attending and they seem to have a great time... Usually have their own canopy with chairs set up...
See ya saturday....

That would be great to meet you in person Dwight. You might even take the top spot for furthest traveled. I think Ohio is in first place but Ed would know for sure.

Fish Fry.... Friday at 5 PM for the early birds if you happen to roll in early....

Yep will be there for the fish fry Friday. Sue will be along with this year! Staying at Grand Rapids Friday and Saturday night.

Sounds good, Dale. They should be decent, but that'll be a good motivator for them. And the directions to the woodshed will be appreciated, last time I had to whoop Emmett in front of everyone.

My bride plans on attending, and is looking forward to it. Hopefully hanging out with the other wives will show her that I'm not the only guy with a trap addiction.

Trap addiction what's that?

A disease that has no cure and is expensive to treat....

Solid answer.
Maybe we can get a doctor to recognize the condition, then get med insurance to cover the treatment.

I like that answer Deerhunter. I am bringing a few things to thin out of certain things I have more than I need. This way I can make room for more! Sam you will know when you reach that. It's when you cannot find more space to keep it without building on.

I'll sell the wife's stuff to make more room for my traps.

Great minds think alike.

Very Nice Display...
"You've come a long way pilgrim" ...

One day to go..
I won't have much for complete traps but gonna try to thin out some parts.

I'm zooming in on that table ,Dale. If I make it up there for the next one I'll bring some parts and we'll have to hang out for a bit...

Pull that box out up here and you better have crowd control... Likely to start a riot,,,
Looks like I should start doing my shopping in Tennessee....

The parts pictures aren't helping me calm down at all. Dale, if any of that stuff is left when I get there, you'll likely be taking some of my money.

Going to check a beaver trap, then we're on the way!

Well, I failed and didn't take any pictures. I was just too distracted by traps and talking with some fine folks.

I'd like to thank everyone for treating my family the way they did. They had an absolute blast! The boys spent the ride home picking on me since they got better deals than I did, lol. My little girl is still talking about her #14 she got. And my wife really enjoyed getting to chat with everyone. The amount of traps that you folks just gave the kids was astounding. Y'all are a great group of people.

Now we get to spend the rest of the day organizing traps. We aren't even sure what all we got yet!

It was good to meet you Sam and the family. Your wife and kids are very nice people. It was nice visiting with all of you. Hope to see everyone in the future. It definitely shows you got the bug, its fun isn't it. It was also a good time visiting with ever else also. A great place to learn and enjoy, Thanks everyone!!

What a great turn out and fine bunch of people. There were far more people than I was expecting and the weather was fantastic. Sam's little girl whopped up on me pretty good so I am pretty sore but I had a great time.

I'm sorry. Elmera has violent tendencies.

That little gal saved my breakfast pizza from Ed's dog so she got on my good people list right away....
Was good to see ya there...

It was good to see you and your daughter as well. I have to admit, I was a little disappointed that Freddy didn't have more of a headache this morning. I always enjoyed being around him and he treated me quite well over the years.

Someone has talent. I was gifted this from a member that I gave a chunk of rusty rebar to years ago.
. Much appreciated Phil, Made my day....

Here are some pictures from The Grand Rapids NATCA meet.
Digger Dale was there telling tall tales.

There were a record number of vendors.

Traps everywhere. I apologize for the poor picture quality.

It was a great event!

Hey Ed somehow when I unloaded my truck that hot dog platter had followed me home.
I wonder how that got back in my pickup?

More 2026 pictures. Thanks to Ed and Michelle for being fantastic hosts! They do a great job on everything!

Thanks for the photos, looks like a great time - I'll figure out a way to make it up there next year. You guys are lucky to have enough regional interest to put a good meet together. I don't know when the southeast NATCA region last put on a meet, but I'm pretty sure there hasn't been one in recent years.

Dale, that's a great looking drag - bet your friend is going to get some requests now...

Thanks Pete for the pictures. I was a great time and yes thank you Ed and Michelle for putting with all of us. Top notch hosts!!

Glad you took some time for pictures Pete. I had a camera along and forgot all about it.
Thanks for getting my best side in that pic while I was describing you .....